Enteric and non-enteric adenoviruses associated with acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients in Thailand, 2011 to 2017

Abstract

Human adenovirus (HAdV) is known to be a common cause of diarrhea in children worldwide. Infection with adenovirus is responsible for 2–10% of diarrheic cases. To increase a better understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of HAdV infection, a large scale and long-term study was needed. We implemented a multi-year molecular detection and characterization study of HAdV in association with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 2011 to 2017. Out of 2,312 patients, HAdV was detected in 165 cases (7.2%). The positive rate for HAdV infection was highest in children of 1 and 2 years of age compared to other age groups. HAdV subgroup C (40.6%) was the most prevalent, followed by subgroups F (28.5%), B (20.6%), A and D (4.8% each), and E (0.6%). Of these, HAdV-F41 (22.4%), HAdV-C2 (18.2%), HAdV-B3 (15.2%), and HAdV-C1 (13.3%) were the most common genotypes detected. HAdV infection occurred throughout the year with a higher detection rate between May and July. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the infection rate, seasonal distribution and genotype diversity of HAdV infection in children with diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand over a period of 7 year. Not only enteric adenovirus (F40 and F41) but also non-enteric adenovirus (B3, C1, C2) may play an important role in gastroenteritis in this area. The information will be beneficial for the prevention and control of HAdV outbreaks in the future.

<p>Epidemiology of Human Adenoviruses: A 20-Year Retrospective Observational Study in Hospitalized Patients in Bern, Switzerland</p>

“…In our study, we noticed that, besides these genotypes, other HAdV genotypes were identified in those presenting with gastrointestinal infection ( Figure 5B), a finding that is similar to what was reported by Kumthip and colleagues. 39 In addition, it is known that specific HAdV species have distinct tissue tropism which may determine the clinical presentation. 40 The presence of HAdV in respiratory tract and stool samples from patients not presenting with any clinical symptoms might be detected incidentally, thus making interpretation of the clinical significance of a positive result difficult.…”

Enteric Viral Co-Infections: Pathogenesis and Perspective

“…Epidemiological data indicate that the majority of AdV infections occur in children less than 5 years of age, but AdV epidemics are also common in adults. AdV genotypes 40 and 41 are commonly associated with AGE in pediatric populations worldwide [70][71][72][73][74]. The intestinal tract also appears to be a common site of AdV reactivation under conditions of immunosuppression [75].…”

Foodborne Viruses and Innovative Non-Thermal Food-Processing Technologies

“…It can affect infants and immunocompromised individuals, or patients with cardiac and pulmonary diseases [26]. HAdV is currently divided into 9 subgroups (A to I); 90 genotypes have been also recognized [27]. The serotypes causing gastroenteritis are 40-41, which belong to species F and are the most common etiological agents (5-20%) of acute gastroenteritis in young children [28].…”

“…The most common HAdV infection to humans is via the fecal-oral route. Food, particularly contaminated seafoods (shellfish), and water are also vectors of transmission and were also associated with several foodborne outbreaks [27].…”